Why England should have looked to Wales for inspiration

Could Leon Britton have been the answer to England’s problems? (Picture: Getty Images)

Well that was over a little bit quicker than most of the media anticipated wasn’t it? OK, strictly speaking it is not over yet but barring a major dose of luck then England will return from Brazil well before Colleen Rooney has unpacked all of her 17 suitcases that she took with her.

Two close games have seen them lose to Italy and Uruguay and left any hopes of qualification dangling on a thread so thin that if there was a spider attached you would swear it was flying.

And with the post-mortem already underway as a Swansea fan I cannot help but wonder if Roy Hodgson missed a trick by failing to notice that there is a bridge connecting Wales to England.I am sure the English FA would have picked up the expense of him crossing it.

Watching the game last night I felt that England were missing a terrier in midfield. A midfield that contains Steven Gerrard, Adam Lallana, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson is just crying out for more and for me it would be someone like Leon Britton.

Appearing almost like a terrier in the middle of the park to win the loose ball and keep possession for your side. All four of these players desire to get forward and get their name on the score sheet but Britton would have added a steel to the midfield that was missing desperately for our near neighbours last night.

Jonjo Shelvey is another who could have been considered (Picture: Getty Images)

I think they could have also done worse than Jonjo Shelvey. I am not saying here that he would have started ahead of any of last night’s midfield (or Britton for that matter) but he would have been a better option for me then Ross Barkley (who will be a top quality player in time) or Ricky Lambert (hands up who just chuckled when the commentator said ‘and England turn to Ricky Lambert?’) and given he was in pretty good form last season his absence is somewhat of a mystery.

To a neutral reading this I am sure you will say I’m biased and maybe there is somewhat of a black and white tinge to by rose coloured spectacles, but I am sure many can see the point that Britton and Shelvey would have given the options that this England squad so desperately needed out in Brazil.

Whether Hodgson keeps his job or not remains to be seen but whoever is England manager at the start of next season I would certainly hope that they secretary ensures that he knows where Swansea is and not completely ignore the English talent that we have here.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but why they have never had a try out is beyond me.